Abstract: Various embodiments of an adhesive article and a method of forming such article are disclosed. The adhesive article includes an active pharmaceutical ingredient; a substrate having a first surface and a second surface including a first area and a second area; and a first adhesive layer disposed on the first area of the second surface of the substrate. The active pharmaceutical ingredient is present in the first adhesive layer at a first concentration. The adhesive article also includes a second adhesive layer having a first portion that is in contact with the first adhesive layer and a second portion that is disposed in the second area of the substrate. The active pharmaceutical ingredient is present in the second adhesive layer at a second concentration. The second concentration is less than the first concentration.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery device includes a backing and an adhesive composition disposed on the backing. The adhesive composition includes a copolymer having at least 50 percent by weight C4 to C10 alkyl acrylate units, based on the total weight of the copolymer, and one or more second monomer units selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate, acrylamide, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone. The C4 to C10 alkyl acrylate and the one or more second monomer units together make up at least 98 percent by weight of the copolymer. The adhesive composition further includes a skin permeation enhancer in a range from 5 percent to 25 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the adhesion composition, and fentanyl. The adhesive composition is substantially free of undissolved fentanyl. A method of treating a mammal including placing the transdermal drug delivery device on the mammal's skin is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for producing bioplastics from biogas include techniques for the production of PHB using a dirty biogas (e.g., methane from landfill, digester) as both a power source for the process and as feedstock. Biogas is split into two streams, one for energy to drive the process, another as feedstock. Advantageously, the techniques may be implemented off the power grid with no dependence upon agricultural products for feedstock.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a transdermal dosage form comprising an active agent component having a skin contacting surface, an adverse agent component, and a barrier. The dosage form comprises at least one channel passing between proximal and distal surfaces of the active agent component. The barrier is interposed between the active agent component and the adverse agent component. In one aspect, the barrier is permeable to selected solvents and impermeable to diffusion of active and adverse agents in the absence of said solvent. In another aspect, the barrier is discontinuous, impermeable to diffusion of active and adverse agents, and the dosage form comprises at least one channel passing between the skin-contacting surface and the adverse agent component.

Abstract: A medical device (20) is provided that is suitable for use in the delivery of active component into or through the skin. The medical device comprises: an extension member (22) having a first major surface (24) and a second major surface (26), the first major surface comprising a first portion and a second portion; an array retaining member (28) extending from the first portion of the first major surface of the extension member, the array retaining member comprising an array surface (30) having at least one microneedle (32) extending from the array surface; and pressure sensitive adhesive (34) disposed on the second portion of the first major surface of the extension member to facilitate the adhesive attachment of the device to mammalian skin when the at least one microneedle is inserted through the stratum corneum.

Abstract: The invention comprises a transdermal dosage form comprising a active agent component comprising a polymeric matrix and an abusable drug substance, an overlay backing, a porous material, and an antagonist reservoir comprising an antagonist to the abusable drug substance. The porous material adjoins the antagonist reservoir and is in fluid communication with the skin-contacting surface defined by the active agent component. In one embodiment, the device comprises a barrier layer interposed between the active agent component and the antagonist reservoir.

Abstract: The invention comprises a transdermal dosage form comprising a active agent component comprising a polymeric matrix and an abusable drug substance, an overlay backing, a porous material, and an antagonist reservoir comprising an antagonist to the abusable drug substance. The porous material adjoins the antagonist reservoir and is in fluid communication with the skin-contacting surface defined by the active agent component. In one embodiment, the device comprises a barrier layer interposed between the active agent component and the antagonist reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a transdermal dosage form comprising an active agent component having a skin contacting surface, an adverse agent component, and a barrier. The dosage form comprises at least one channel passing between proximal and distal surfaces of the active agent component. The barrier is interposed between the active agent component and the adverse agent component. In one aspect, the barrier is permeable to selected solvents and impermeable to diffusion of active and adverse agents in the absence of said solvent. In another aspect, the barrier is discontinuous, impermeable to diffusion of active and adverse agents, and the dosage form comprises at least one channel passing between the skin-contacting surface and the adverse agent component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a solenoid valve wherein the flow rate of the valve relative to a specific percent duty cycle may be varied. The controller is such that after the desired flow of the solenoid valve is determined, the frequency and percent duty cycle of an output signal controlling the solenoid valve is varied. Such a controller utilizes varying frequencies to provide multiple slope flow rates with a single passage solenoid valve.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheet material for delivering melatonin through the skin. The sheet material has a flexible backing bearing a pressure sensitive adhesive coating involving an acrylic copolymer, melatonin, 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethanol, and optionally N,N-dimethyldodecylamine-N-oxide.

Abstract: A thermistor positioned within a tubular probe adjacent its closed distal end has lead wires connected with terminals by both crimp and weld connections that are independent of one another. A non-rigid heat transfer medium fills the distal end portion of the probe in surrounding relationship to the thermistor. An opening in the sensor housing leads to the interior of the probe and receives a dielectric sleeve in which tail end portions of the terminals are positioned.

Abstract: A device that determines liquid level or volume by means of charging a plurality of capacitors in sequence. Each capacitor is charged for a fixed time interval. The voltage level obtained is a function of the liquid level and is compared with a known voltage to obtain an output signal that can be used to represent liquid depth. The capacitors are formed by two concentric tubes, one inside the other in a spaced relationship. The tubes reduce the effect of sloshing in the tank, resulting in a more stable reading. To measure volume or level in an irregular shaped tank, the capacitors can be arranged in a non-linear manner. The device has no moving parts to wear out and thus results in higher reliability and longer life.

Abstract: A capacitor for a fluid level sensor that has first and second elongated expandable capacitor plates mounted in spaced relationship with respect to each other in a container to form a capacitor for measuring data representing the liquid in the container, the capacitor plates being continuously expandable from a first length to a second length with a given change in the shape of the container. Thus, the capacitor compensates for the change in container shape.

Abstract: A three-dimensional interchange linkage which permits any of a number of devices abounding a core to be laterally interchanged. A preferred form of the linkage is found in an icosahedral puzzle in which groups of five separate pieces can be rotated to re-order and re-arrange the pieces in the manner of a puzzle. The linkage which retains the pieces of the puzzle to the core while allowing lateral interchanges is essential to the operation of the puzzle.

Abstract: Starch fibrids useful in enhancing the physical properties of non-woven webs, e.g., paper, are produced by a process which comprises providing an aqueous, alkaline solution of a water-insoluble starch in a finely divided form, e.g., in the form of an aerosol, and introducing the finely divided starch solution into an agitated, aqueous precipitating medium comprising a precipitating salt to thereby produce starch fibrids characterized by having both film and fiber morphology. The starch fibrids are recovered from the salt-containing liquid and may be incorporated into paper to improve the physical properties thereof.

Abstract: Polymeric fibrids and paper-like structures produced therefrom are disclosed. These fibrids are produced by preparing an aqueous solution of a film forming polymer, injecting the solution into a liquid precipitating medium miscible with water but in which the polymer is insoluble, and providing sufficient shear to directly and rapidly precipitate the polymer to fibrid morphology. The fibrids, which are desirably first treated to render them more hydrophobic, may be formed into a web and dried utilizing conventional paper-making techniques to obtain the paper-like structures of the invention.